The UK gambling industry adopts the Safe Gambling Commitments – article by Cristian Andrei PhD, Expert Responsible Gambling Association; Institute of Human Relations
In early November, the executive directors of leading British gambling companies, including Aspers, bet365, Caesars, Flutter Entertainment (Paddy Power Betfair), Genting, GVC (Ladbrokes and Coral), Playtech, Rank Group, Sky Betting & Gaming and William Hill have signed a five-stake package on safer gambling, in order to counteract the negative effects gambling can have on players, including young people.
The five Commitments refer to:
– preventing gambling by minors and protecting young people;
– increasing the level of
support for the treatment of the negative effects generated by the practice of gambling;
– strengthening and extending the codes of practice of advertising and marketing activities;
– protecting and empowering customers
– promoting a culture of safe gambling.
These Commitments represent the most complete set of measures initiated by a large group of industry leaders to support the National Strategy to Reduce the Negative Effects of Gambling, initiated by the UK Gambling Commission – UKGC. The commitments made will bring about fundamental and long-term changes in the way UK gambling companies are run as well as in how they hold their clients accountable, protected and supported.
“The Betting and Gambling Council welcomes these commitments from the executives of the largest UK-based companies. This is a major step in preventing young people from playing gambling and addressing the negative effects it can produce. By co-operating between companies in the industry we will create a culture of safer gambling – by increasing the skills of professionals educating young people, by increasing support for treatment as well as by strengthening and extending codes of good practice and empowering consumers”, declares Brigid Simmonds, President of the Betting and Gambling Council. She also states that these commitments that the Council supports will contribute to building public and institutional trust in the industry.
In order to ensure transparency, the signatories have assumed that the Commitments for safe gambling will be publicly reported constantly, through an independent evaluation and monitoring process, in close connection with the set of good practices used by the authorities. public, including the UKGC Gam bling Commission, HM Treasury and the UK Evaluation Society.
At the same time as the five Commitments took place, the official launch of a new representative body for the betting and gambling industry in the United Kingdom took place, which will advocate and act for the implementation of these commitments, namely the Betting and Games Council. Luck. It will represent bookmakers, online casinos and online gambling operators, and has been set up in response to requests for the industry to join forces to ensure everyone has a pleasant, fair and safe gaming experience, good luck and betting.
One of the first actions announced on this occasion concerns the implementation, over a period of four years, of the national program for the education of young people, a program developed and implemented by two charities, GamCare and YGAM. The two NGOs will work with young people, their parents and their families and with the staff in the gambling halls to improve awareness and understanding of the risks associated with excessive gambling. At the same time, the five Commitments will also target the development of new codes of conduct related to sponsorships and direct and affiliate marketing activities.
At the national level, the industry is making efforts in this direction, most operators have adhered to the concept and principles of responsible gambling, and the proof is the Responsible Gambling Association and the programs it runs. Much of the five commitments made by the United Kingdom can be found in our country. For example, the “Trained to increase” education program for adolescents, the Responsible Gambling program and the complete methods it offers to people facing problems or in unison of the communication and advertising standards responsible for those directly involved.
Which are the 5 commitments for safer gambling
1. Preventing the practice of gambling by minors and protecting young people both through the platforms of companies in the industry and by introducing the most effective protection measures for new customers, coming from all age categories for which restrictions are imposed on the use of certain services.
2. Increased support for treatment in case of adverse effects of gambling. This commitment will be made possible by increasing the access to specialized treatment at the national level, offered by providers recognized as having experience in the field, as part of a long-term strategic plan.
3. Strengthening and extending the codes of conduct in the field of advertising and marketing by developing the highest standards of codes of conduct in the two fields.
4. Protecting and empowering customers by introducing a new set of player protection measures in product design, thus facilitating access to safe gambling.
5. Promote a culture of safer gambling both within the industry and within each gambling operator, where safe and well-controlled gambling becomes a norm.
